[6] Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Sign MOA
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes based in southeastern Idaho is the latest group to sign a 10-year agreement with federal agencies promising to improve fish habitat in return for support of the latest hydro BiOp. The $61-million proposal became available for public comment last Friday.
Tribal chair Alonzo Coby said the proposed agreement would pay for nutrient supplementation, artificial propagation and habitat restoration for spring/summer chinook, Snake River steelhead and sockeye and native yellow cutthroat in the upper Snake River.
"This proposal is another step toward 'gravel-to-gravel'--rather than 'gavel-to-gavel'--management of fisheries in our region," said BPA Administrator Steve Wright. "This newest proposed agreement builds on the historic Columbia Basin Fish Accord announced earlier this year that bring the tribes, federal agencies and states together to be even more effective at fish recovery in the region. These agreements show the collaboration approach initiated by Judge James Redden is paying real dividends."
The previous agreements were expected to cost BPA about $900 million over the next 10 years, and include a mix of projects related both to BiOp actions and to helping non-listed stocks.
The Shoshone-Bannock deal breaks down into about $3 million in spending on ESA-listed species every year and $2.4 million for habitat restoration and enhancement, including a one-time capital expense of $7.75 million for hatchery facilities.
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes was the first group in the basin to petition the Snake River sockeye for ESA protection, way back in 1991. -B. R.
The following links were mentioned in this story:
Salmon Recovery 10-year agreement
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